Water temperature in Punta Cana January ?

[original777]

Does anyone know what the water temperature is mid January?
I’m leaving January 15^th for Punta Cana.
I need to know what kind of wetsuit to bring. I have many. Thank you.

 

[Dhboner]

When I was there in January the water was anything from 75 - 82 (according to my logbook). I wore a 3mm shorty and was fine but if I were to go again I would bring my 3mm full suit.

Bob

 

[original777]

Bob,

That's a huge swing in temp. What's up with that? Summer temp in the caribbean is 82, just perfect. I could dive in my bathing suit but 75 is ice cold. For me anyways.

 

[Dhboner]

I dive 35 all winter...75 is a bathtub! The temperature swing is probably due to the surge and wave action (deeper, cooler water rolls in to shore when the winds pick up and the waves start to get big).

 

[DRsharky]

The summer water temp on the south coast of DR is between 84 - 86F, in the winter time 77 - 80F. Punta Cana might be a bit cooler because it the Atlantic coast.